Lawmakers seek end to taxpayer-backed sexual harassment settlements

(The Hill) — Jackie Speier (D-Calif.) said she’s gotten pushback on making lawmakers reimburse taxpayers because “some people can’t afford it.” She countered that lawmakers don’t have to worry about it if they “don’t engage in that kind of” behavior.

Momentum is building fast in Congress to ban the use of taxpayer money to settle sexual harassment cases – particularly after news that a total of well over $100,000 has been paid in recent cases against lawmakers.

Prohibiting such settlements is proving to be a popular idea among fiscal conservatives and liberal Democrats alike as Congress grapples with how to reform its complicated workplace policies.